Skip to main content
Access IndiaPLATFORM
HomeHSNChapter 38HSN 3808 93 49

Other

Other herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators

CDSCO CLEARANCE · CIB&RC CLEARANCE · +2 OTHER PGAS

HSN 3808 93 49 (Other herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators) is subject to mandatory registration with the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, with import restricted to notified ports under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Formulations listed in G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 additionally require Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) registration under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) conditions. DGFT policy condition 7 of Chapter 29 and CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandatory qualifier requirements apply as customs overlays.

What this is
HSN code
3808 93 49
Chapter
38 · Miscellaneous chemical products
Primary regulator
CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971
Customs documentation
  • Registration certificate from CIB&RC
  • Import permit from CIB&RC
  • Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC
Applicable Partner Government Agencies
CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
CIB&RCCIB&RC·Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee
MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
MEFCCMEFCC·Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Obtain CIB&RC registration or an import permit under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 before filing the bill of entry. Where the herbicide or plant-growth regulator is imported for a non-insecticidal purpose, a separate import permit from the Registration Committee is required; import from any source not specified on the certificate of registration or permit is prohibited.
    Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 · Insecticides Rules, 1971
  2. 2
    Route the consignment through one of the ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 and ensure mandatory additional qualifiers are declared in the import declaration for CTH 3808 commodities, as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, with effect from 15-10-2023.
    Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023
  3. 3
    Where the product is a medical device listed in G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, ensure CDSCO registration as required by the MOHFW notification. Additionally, verify compliance with the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and, if the import involves specified hazardous substances exceeding notified quantities, obtain a public liability insurance policy per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992.
    G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 (MOHFW) · Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is failing to distinguish between the CIB&RC registration pathway for insecticidal use and the separate import-permit pathway for non-insecticidal use — the two are not interchangeable. A consignment declared as a plant-growth regulator for non-insecticidal purposes that arrives without the Registration Committee import permit is detained at the notified port of entry; the CIB&RC certificate of registration for insecticidal use does not cure the deficiency. Confirm the end-use category with the Registration Committee before shipment.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?
Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.
Speak to an Expert
Frequently asked
Does HSN 3808 93 49 require BIS certification?
No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers herbicides, anti-sprouting products or plant-growth regulators under this tariff line. Import is governed by CIB&RC mandatory registration under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, with CDSCO registration required where the product is also a listed medical device under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020.
Which ports are notified for import of insecticides and herbicides under this CTH?
Import is restricted to ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the active list should be confirmed with CIB&RC before vessel departure, as consignments arriving at non-notified ports are liable to seizure.
Does the DGFT policy-condition 7 of Chapter 29 apply to this tariff line?
Yes. Per DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025, import under CTI 3808 93 49 is free but subject to policy condition 7 of Chapter 29 with effect from 01-05-2025 per the Finance Bill 2025, and full compliance with General Note 8(a) regarding import policy is also required.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: CDSCO / CIB&RC / MOHFW / MEFCC / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
Related